Following the lines of the Top 5s and 10s people ask me about, something similar would be the question, “What’s the best thing you read this year?” I have been tracking my reading since 2021 and grading everything I have read. So, I will share my grading scale, and then I will share all of the books I read that year, for which I gave a fantastic grade.
Personal Grading Scale:
Fantastic = Formative / Biblical / Would Highly Recommend
Great = Impactful / Biblical / Would Recommend
Good = Worth One Read / Biblical / Recommendation only if deemed appropriate
Ok = Find A Better Book on the Subject / Extra-Biblical / Would Not Recommend
Bad = Misrepresentation of Scripture / Extra-Biblical / Un-Biblical / Would Counsel to Avoid
2021’s Fantastic Books I Read
Leadership Books
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
This is one of the greatest books of leadership which has been written, in my opinion. The chapters are manageable and easy to read, even for someone struggling with reading. It makes for simple discipleship material while lacking no punch.
[Booklet] The Man of God by John MacArthur
Taken from a sermon (as most of MacArthur’s books do), this is a simple, cheap, and effective exposition of Paul’s exhortation to Timothy of what a Man of God is known for. You can read this in one sitting and reread it every year as God’s Word is expounded to your heart.
Pastoral Books
Preaching by John MacArthur
For those interested in preaching, this book is helpful in multiple ways. Number one, it is very comprehensive regarding the topic of preaching. Number two, multiple authors wrote the different chapters. So, while the theme is the same throughout, each topic has its own pazazz, which helps with a thicker book like this. Number three, MacArthur gives you the basics of his sermon prep toward the end of the book..not sure you could ask for much more there.
Pastoral Ministry by John MacArthur
All the same, comments could be made about this volume, such as the one above. It’s a joy to read from different authors (who are gifted) on the same topic from different angles. While preaching is pastoral ministry, not all pastoral ministry is preaching. This book helps to clarify the ministry comprehensively.
Parenting Books
What The Bible Says About Parenting by John MacArthur
John MacArthur preached a series of (many) sermons on what the bible says about parenting. These sermons were transcripted, distilled, edited, and sewn together in this book. Honestly, this is a classic work that is very helpful for the average Christian parents simply trying to get a handle on the “absolutes” of parenting the bible lays out for us.
Shepherding A Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
Every parent (or soon-to-be parent) of toddlers and younger children must read this book. It is an absolute necessity. If you wish to have a clear vision of God’s design for the early years of parenting, please read this book, purchase it for other young parents, and recommend it to others. This timeless book will still be exceptional 50 years from now.
Brave Dad by John MacArthur
A more succinct treatment of MacArthur’s teaching on parenting with a slight (surprisingly not more aggressive) bent toward fathers. This is an easy read, short, sweet, and to the point. Great discipleship material for fathers!
Doctrinal Books
1689 Baptist Confession of Faith in Modern English by Stan Reeves
What a blessing this book has been in my life. I have read it every year since 2021, and it impresses me each time. All of the major truths that we believe about the bible have been manicured down to these paragraphs. I am leading our deacons through this book eight paragraphs at a time (monthly). If you wish to know the depths of doctrine concisely, look no further. This is the way.
Biblical Theology by Nick Roark & Robert Cline
What is biblical theology? How do we use it? Why do we need it? Is it not systematic…or historical…or the other ones? All these answers and more are found in this helpful little purple book. I thoroughly enjoyed 90% of this series of books and would heartily recommend the set to you!
Justification/Sanctification Books
Saved From What? By R.C. Sproul
Justification…what does it mean? What does it mean to be saved? What are you saved from? In classic R.C. Sproul manner, this book is written with a narrative-like quality full of pithy statements and apt illustrations. A deep dive in a short book…count me in!
The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard
While you have heard me refer to the Puritans plenty of times, reading their works is hard for the average reader. Mr. Kris, with a “freshened up” version of classic Puritan works on indwelling sin and the believer's daily battle. This will be an edifying read no matter where you are in your walk with Christ! Be killing sin, or it will be killing you!
Church Issue Books
Ten Indictments Against The Modern Church by Paul Washer
Can you smell what Paul is cooking in the kitchen? It’s fire. Just fire. In a scathing rebuke of the modern church, Washer reveals the heart issues of the American church and where things have gone wrong (very far from what the bible prescribes). Buckle in for the soul’s version of a deep tissue massage and embrace the pain! I promise this will help clarify much of what is wrong with modern evangelicalism.
[Booklet] The Invitation System by Iain Murray
What is an altar call? Is it biblical? In this short booklet, Iain Murray gives a kind and biblical critique of what he calls “the invitation system.”
Prayer Books
[Booklet] A Call To Prayer by J.C. Ryle
Do you pray? But really, do you pray? J.C. Ryle is just what the doctor ordered to remind you of the importance of prayer and how we so easily check the box of prayer and sometimes never actually even pray. The soul needs prayer, like the body needs air. Welcome to your yearly resuscitation!
While I read other books in the year 2021, these were the most impactful to me in that year! So, what books have you read recently that impacted you? What’s on your current reading list? Let me know!
May God bless your week as you seek His kingdom first!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dan
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